Gateway device and system and method for use of same

ABSTRACT

A gateway device and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor, memory, and a camera. To improve convenience, the gateway device may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the gateway device may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, under certain conditions, the gateway device may provide a video feed.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 62/786,954 entitled “Gateway Device and System and Method forUse of Same” filed on Dec. 31, 2018, in the name of William C. Fang;which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to gateway devices and, inparticular, to gateway devices with enhanced convenience and systems andmethods for use of the same that address and enhance the automation ofsolutions in a room or other environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to the hospitality lodging industry, as anexample. To many individuals, a hotel room is more than just a place tosleep, rather it is part of a larger and hopefully positive, hospitalityexperience. Hotel guests are seeking enhanced convenience in aneasy-to-use platform to make this experience a reality. As a result ofsuch consumer preferences, hassle free connectivity and confidenceinspiring control of room amenities are differentiators in determiningthe experience of guests staying in hospitality lodging establishments.Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods forproviding enhanced convenience in an easy-to-use platform in thehospitality lodging industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a gateway device that would improveupon existing limitations in functionality. It would be desirable toenable a computer-based electronics and software solution that wouldprovide enhanced convenience in an easy-to-use platform in thehospitality lodging industry or in another environment. Further, itwould also be desirable to enable a computer-based electronics andsoftware solution that would provide improved safety in a reliableplatform. To better address one or more of these concerns, a gatewaydevice and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In oneembodiment of the gateway device, multiple wireless transceivers arelocated within a housing, which also interconnectively includes aprocessor and memory.

The gateway device may establish a pairing with a proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display andvarious amenities. Content, such as the Internet, movies, music, orgames, for example, may be imported, e.g., streamed, from theprogrammable device and reformatted at the gateway device for renderingon one of the amenities. Virtual remote control functionality of theamenities may also be provided. To improve safety, the gateway devicemay be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, undercertain conditions, the gateway device may provide a video feed. Theseand other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidatedwith reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system forproviding a gateway device providing enhanced convenience and safetyfunctionality therewith according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of one embodiment of the gateway devicedepicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the gateway device depicted in FIG.2A;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of thegateway device presented in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a gatewaydevice;

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the gateway device depicted in FIG.4A;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the gateway device depicted in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram depicting one operationalembodiment of the gateway device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a gateway device having enhanced convenience according to theteachings presented herein; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a gateway device furnishing enhanced safety according to theteachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, therein is depicted one embodiment of asystem 10 utilizing a gateway device 12 with enhanced contentcapabilities and safety capabilities being employed within a hospitalitylodging establishment. The hospitality lodging establishment or, moregenerally, hospitality property, may be a furnished multi-familyresidence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel, hospital, or othermulti-unit environment. As shown, by way of example and not by way oflimitation, the hospitality environment is depicted as the hotel Hhaving various rooms and spaces, including space S and back of the houseoperations O. As will be discussed in additional detail, the gatewaydevice 12 is communicatively disposed with various amenities associatedwith the hospitality environment or hotel H as well as a geolocation andsafety network 58. Gateway devices, like the gateway device 12, may bedeployed throughout the spaces S and rooms of the hotel H.

As shown, in one embodiment, within the space S, which may be a hallwayor lobby, for example, the system 10 includes the gateway device 12having a housing 14 with physical connections 16, 18. A network cable 19is secured to physical connection 16. In one embodiment, the gatewaydevice 12 includes a camera 20. A configuration profile 22 provides theinformation and credentials necessary for the gateway device 12 to haveconvenient connections to amenities and a safe experience for the guestsas well as workers at the hotel H through the geolocation and safetynetwork 58, as will be described below. Multiple antennas provide forthe wireless capabilities of the gateway device 12 and include, forexample, wireless standards: Wi-Fi 24, Bluetooth 26, and ZigBee 28. Moregenerally, it should be appreciated that the cabling connected to thegateway device 12 and antenna configuration will depend on theenvironment and application, and the cabling connections and wirelessstandards presented in FIG. 1 are depicted for illustrative purposes.

The gateway device 12 communicates wirelessly with various amenities 30,which are depicted as environmental amenities, within an environment ofthe space S. As shown, the amenities may include lighting 32, athermostat 34 representing temperature control, a speaker 36, windowshades 38, and security 40, which is depicted as a door indication for“Please Do Not Disturb.” A programmable device 42 that may be proximateand serve as a personal location device, such as a single buttonprogrammable device 44 having a button 45 with Bluetooth capabilities 46or a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48 maybe in communication with the gateway device 12 by a wireless standard.As shown, the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device48 may be a wireless-enabled interactive handheld device that may besupplied or carried by the guest and may be selected from a range ofexisting devices, such as, for example personal computers, laptops,tablet computers, smart phones, and smart watches, for example. In oneimplementation, an application installed from a server enables thegateway device 12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device to be wirelessly paired. In another embodiment, achallenge-response is utilized to wirelessly pair the gateway device 12and the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48.

As shown, the configuration profile 22 is loaded within the gatewaydevice 12. The guest configuration profile 22 may be loaded from theoperations, e.g., the front desk or hotel headend, by use of a remotecontrol, or by a proximate device, such as the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48. The configurationprofile 22 enables, in operation, to query the status of one of theamenities, to furnish virtual remote control functionality of theamenities 30 that may be provided by the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 48, and to import content from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48 to one ofthe amenities 30, such as the speaker 36. Such functionality is depictedby the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48having a display 50 and a virtual interface 52 thereon for controllingthe temperature of the temperature control amenity 34 by way of a Wi-Fiwireless signal 54 that is received by the gateway device 12 andtransmitted to the temperature control 34.

In another implantation, the gateway device 12 has a data link to theserver 56 which is providing a geolocation and safety network 58, whichincludes the gateway device 12 as well as the programmable device 42 inthe form of the single button programmable device 44 or the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48. In oneimplementation, an individual has the programmable device 44, which maytransmit a beacon from the programmable device 44 using a wirelessstandard such as Bluetooth 46 to the gateway device 12. The gatewaydevice then processes the received beacon signal and sends a broadcastsignal to the server 56. More particularly, with respect to data flow60, the programmable device 44 transmits the beacon signal 62 whichincludes a personal location device identification identifying theprogrammable device 44. The beacon signal 62 is received by the gatewaydevice 12 which transmits a broadcast signal 64 including the personallocation device identification, a gateway device identificationidentifying the gateway device 12, and a signal characteristicindicator, such as signal strength, for example. The server 56 receivesthe broadcast signal 64 and uses multiple broadcast signals, includingbroadcast signal 66, for locationing 68, such as triangulation, of thelocation of the programmable device 44. The server 56, in turn, sendsout the appropriate notifications to various phones, activates alarms,or notify others via a computer, depending on the situation. In oneimplementation, under certain conditions, such as an alert-enabled modeand an emergency, the camera 20 may be actuated by the gateway device 12to send video to the server 56. As a spatial array of horizontal andvertical gateway devices are provided, the server 56 and system 10presented herein is able to determine the location of the individualassociated with the programmable device 44 within a building. Thelocation information determined includes which floor the individual ispresently located as well as the room or common area.

Referring to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 3, the gateway device 12 may bea set-top unit that is an information appliance device that does notinclude television-tuner functionality and generally containsconvenience and safety functionality. The gateway device 12 includes thehousing 14 having a front wall 70, rear wall 72, side wall 74, side wall76, top wall 78, and bottom base 80. It should be appreciated that frontwall, rear wall, and side wall are relative terms used for descriptivepurposes and the orientation and the nomenclature of the walls may varydepending on application. The front wall 70 includes various ports,ports 16, 18 that provide interfaces for various interfaces, includinginputs 92 and outputs 94. In one implementation, as illustrated, theport 16 is an RJ45 port and port 18 is a USB2 port. It should beappreciated that the configuration of ports may vary with the gatewaydevice depending on application and context. As shown, the top wall 78includes a camera securement 82 for the camera 20.

Within the housing 14, a processor 96, memory 98, storage 100, theinputs 92, the outputs 94, and one or more cameras 20 are interconnectedby a bus architecture 102 within a mounting architecture. The processor96 may process instructions for execution within the computing device,including instructions stored in the memory 98 or in storage 100. Thememory 98 stores information within the computing device. In oneimplementation, the memory 98 is a volatile memory unit or units. Inanother implementation, the memory 98 is a non-volatile memory unit orunits. Storage 100 provides capacity that is capable of providing massstorage for the gateway device 12. Various inputs 92 and outputs 94provide connections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs92 are the signals or data received by the gateway device 12, and theoutputs 94 are the signals or data sent from the gateway device 12. Asmentioned, the one or more cameras 20 are each an optical instrument forcapturing still images or for recording moving images, which are storedin a physical medium such as in a digital system. The camera 20 may sendthe captured images to the server 56 under certain conditions.

Multiple transceivers 104 are associated with the gateway device 12 andcommunicatively disposed with the bus 102. As shown the transceivers 104may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing.Further, the transceivers 104 may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver,or an antenna for example. Communication between various amenities inthe hotel room and the gateway device 12 may be enabled by a variety ofwireless methodologies employed by the transceiver 152, including802.11, 802.15, 802.15.4, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near fieldcommunications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example.Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized.

The memory 98 and storage 100 are accessible to the processor 96 andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 96 to execute a series of operations. With respect to firstprocessor-executable instructions, the processor 96 is caused toestablish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 48 and the gateway device 12. Theprocessor-executable instructions then send user interface instructionsrelative to the amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 48. The instructions may further cause the processor96 to receive and process user input instructions relative to theamenity 30 from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice 48. The processor-executable instructions may also cause theprocessor 96 to generate a command signal and send the command signal tothe amenity 30.

The memory 98 may also include second processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor 96 to receive and process abeacon signal including a personal location device identification. Theinstructions may then cause the processor 96 to generate a broadcastsignal including the personal location device identification, a gatewaydevice identification, and signal characteristics indicator. Finally,the instructions may cause the processor 96 to send the broadcast signalto the server 56.

The memory 98 may also include third processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor 96 to establish a pairingbetween the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device48 and the gateway device 12. Following the establishment of a pairing,the processor-executable instructions may cause the processor 96 to senduser interface instructions relative to the amenity 30 to the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48. The instructionsmay then cause the processor 96 to receive and process user inputinstructions relative to the amenity 30 from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48. As part of thestatus inquiry process, the processor-executable instructions may thengenerate a status inquiry, send the status inquiry to the amenity 30,receive a response to the status inquiry at the gateway device 12, andforward a status response to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 48.

The memory 98 may include fourth processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor 96 to establish a pairing between theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48 and thegateway device 12 and then send user interface instructions relative tothe amenity 30 to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 48. The processor-executable instructions mayfurther cause the processor 96 to receive and process user inputinstructions relative to the amenity 30 from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 48. Then, the processor96 may be caused to import content from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 48, reformat the imported content, andforward the reformatted imported content to the amenity 30.

The memory 98 may include fifth processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor 96 to capture video via the cameraand transmit the video to the server. It should be appreciated thatvarious conditions may be present for the camera to initiate thecapturing of images and transmission thereof. For example, in oneimplementation, in response to receiving and processing the beaconsignal in the alerts-enabled mode, the processor-executable instructionscause the processor to capture video via the camera. In anotherimplementation, in response to receiving and processing a signal fromthe server, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor tocapture video via the camera.

Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein may enable users to useexisting electronic devices as a temporary remote control device tocontrol various amenities. Therefore the systems and methods presentedherein avoid the need for additional or expensive high functionalityremote controls. In this respect, the teachings presented herein alsoinclude providing the software and/or application for the electronicdevice or interactive handheld device. The application, to the extentneeded, may be downloaded from the Internet or alternatively madeavailable by download from the set-top box. Further, the systems andmethods disclosed herein may enable users to be part of a geolocationand safety network.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C depict another embodiment of the gateway device 12.The gateway device 12 includes the housing 108 having a front wall 110,rear wall 112, side wall 114, side wall 116, top wall 118, and bottombase 120. It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and sidewall are relative terms used for descriptive purposes and theorientation and the nomenclature of the walls may vary depending onapplication. The front wall 110 includes a removable cover 122 andinside, at opening 124, is interior wall 126 which may have variousports, such as port 128. The gateway device 12 also includes a camera130 positioned within the camera securement 132 within the top wall 118.It should be appreciated that the configuration of ports may vary withthe gateway device depending on application and context. The gatewaydevice 12 depicted in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C may be employed in an outdoorenvironment, for example, where interfaces require additional protectionfrom the elements.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of the gateway device 12. In thisembodiment, chipsets 150, 152 respectively include a program port 154,storage 156 and storage 158 and a program port 160. The chipset 150includes an antenna for wireless protocol Wi-Fi 24, while the chipset152 includes antennas for wireless protocol Bluetooth 26 and wirelessprotocol ZigBee 28. Serial and radio management communications areenabled between the chipset 150 and the chipset 152. A physicalconnector 162 is connected to the chipset 150 to provide data thereto.The source of the data is the RJ45 port 16, which includes couplingmagnet components 164. The RJ45 port 16 may also provide power ofEthernet which is received by power of Ethernet circuit component 166and forwarded to the power supply 168. In the illustrated embodiment,the USB Type B port 18 may also provide power to the power supply 168.As shown, the physical connector 162 connects the chipset 170 to thecamera 20.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing conveniencethrough a remote control device controlling amenities, according to theteachings presented herein. At block 180, a search, which may be activeor passive, is performed by the gateway device to identify a physicallyproximate programmable device in the multi-room environment, forexample. At block 182, a pairing is established. As noted by block 184,the pairing may provide an experience that includes providing a virtualinterface with virtual buttons, for example. Referring to decision block186, as previously discussed, the virtual remote controls and interfaceeach correspond to amenities under the control of the gateway deviceand, as a result, the status may be determined of the amenity, theamenity may be controlled, or a programmable device experience may beinitiated.

With respect to amenity status, at block 188, instructions are providedto the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device toenable requests for the status of an amenity. At block 190, commands arereceived at the gateway device relative to user input and a statusinquiry. At block 192, the commands are translated and at block 194 astatus inquiry is sent to the amenity. At block 196, a response to thestatus inquiry is received at the gateway device and forwarded to theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device at block 198.

With respect to control of amenities, at block 200, instructions areprovided from the gateway device for a virtual interface on a touchscreen display associated with the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device. In one embodiment, the virtual buttonsare associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device and relate to obtaining user input for the amenitycontrol functionality provided by the set-top box. At block 202, theset-top box receives and processes amenity control functionality inputinstructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device. At block 204, the commands are translated into acommand signal. At block 206, the command signal is sent to theparticular amenity.

Returning now to decision block 186 and the importation of content fromthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, at block208, instructions are provided from the gateway device for an interfaceincluding virtual buttons, for example, on a touch screen displayassociated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice. The virtual buttons may be associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device and relate to obtaininguser input for the programmable device experience functionality providedby the gateway device. At block 210, the gateway device receives andprocesses virtual remote control functionality input instructions fromthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. At block212, the commands are translated into a command signal and sent to theamenity at block 214. At block 216, content is imported from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. At block218, the imported content is reformatted for the targeted amenity andforwarded thereto at block 220. As discussed, the fully tuned signalincluding the imported content provides an upstream parallel experienceon the television related to the content on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing safety in ahospitality environment or other environment, according to the teachingspresented herein. At block 230, the array of gateway devices is deployedvertically and horizontally throughout the hospitality environment. Atblock 232, beacon signals are periodically transmitted from personallocation devices and received by the gateway devices.

At block 234, the beacon signals are received and processed at thegateway device. The beacon signals may include a personal locationdevice identification corresponding to the device being employed by theuser. In one embodiment, signal strength between the beacon transmissionof the set-top boxes and the common area beacons at the wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device is measured. In other embodiments, phaseangle measurements or flight time measurements may be utilized. At block236, broadcast signals are sent from the gateway devices to a serverthat is part of the geolocation and safety network. The broadcastsignals may include the personal location device identification, gatewaydevice identification, and signal characteristic indicators. At block238, the server receives and processes the broadcast signals. At thisstep, the server may identify the location of the origin of the beaconsignal and estimate the location of the personal location device. Atdecision block 240, the server takes action based on the mode ofoperation. In a first mode of operation at block 242, a service requestis associated with the location of the user utilizing the location ofthe personal location device such as the wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device as a proxy. In a second mode of operation at block244, an emergency alert is sent and subsequent notification (block 246)occurs. The emergency alert includes an indication of distress and thelocation of the user utilizing the location of the wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device as a proxy. In a third mode of operationat block 248, the map of individuals is updated with the location of theuser with, if privacy settings being enabled, the system maintains theprivacy of the individual working in the hospitality environment suchthat the system only retains in memory the last known position and timeof the user-supplied wireless-enabled smart and interactive handhelddevice. Further, in this mode of operation, the system does not revealthe location of the individual and programmable device unless and untilan alert is issued. Following the modes of operation, at decision block250, if a video feed is required, then the methodology advances to block252 where a video feed is established. By way of example and not by wayof limitation, a video feed may be required to complete a servicerequest, support an alert request, or provide a visual image tosupplement the map. If a video feed is not required, then themethodology may conclude. If a video feed is required, then the videofeed may include cameras from devices in communication with thegeolocation and safety network that are located near the estimatedlocation of the personal location device.

The gateway device and systems and methods presented herein areparticularly applicable to non-hotel guest room applications likehallways as well as the aforementioned educational environments,including hallways, gymnasiums, cafeterias and libraries. In suchapplications, the cameras on the gateway devices may be activated by asignal from the server following an alert, for example. Alternatively,the cameras may self-actuate following an alert from a personal locationdevice. The video feed or video feeds received at the server may beutilized by safety and security personal or law enforcement to assessthe situation.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gateway device comprising: a housing securing aprocessor, memory, storage, and a camera therein, the housing beingconfigured to be located within a space; a busing architecturecommunicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory, the storage,and the camera; a first physical port secured at the housing and coupledto the busing architecture, the first physical port configured toprovide a physical wired interface for data and power to the gatewaydevice; a second physical port secured at the housing and coupled to thebusing architecture, the second physical port configured to provide aphysical wired interface for power to the gateway device; a plurality ofwireless transceivers associated with the housing and coupled to thebusing architecture, the plurality of wireless transceivers configuredto communicate via a plurality of wireless standards; at least one ofthe plurality of wireless transceivers and the first physical portproviding a data link to a server, the server managing a geolocation andsafety network including a plurality of gateway devices; at least one ofthe plurality of wireless transceivers being configured to communicatewith a proximate programmable device; at least one of the plurality ofwireless transceivers being configured to communicate with a proximateamenity, the proximate amenity being co-located with the gateway deviceat the space; the memory accessible to the processor, the memoryincluding first processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: establish a pairing between the proximateprogrammable device and the gateway device, send user interfaceinstructions relative to the amenity to the proximate programmabledevice, receive and process user input instructions relative to theamenity from the proximate programmable device, generate a commandsignal, and send the command signal to the amenity; the memoryaccessible to the processor, the memory including secondprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: receive and process a beacon signal including a personallocation device identification, generate a broadcast signal includingthe personal location device identification, a gateway deviceidentification, and signal characteristics indicator, and send thebroadcast signal to the server; and the memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including third processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to: in response to receivingand processing the beacon signal including an alert, capture video viathe camera, and transmit the video the server.
 2. The gateway device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first physical port further comprises anRJ45 port.
 3. The gateway device as recited in claim 1, wherein thesecond physical port further comprises a USB2 port.
 4. The gatewaydevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless standards areselected from a group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 802.15,802.15.4, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC),and Bluetooth.
 5. The gateway device as recited in claim 1, wherein theplurality of wireless transceivers are at least partially internal tothe housing.
 6. The gateway device as recited in claim 1, wherein theplurality of wireless transceivers are at least partially external tothe housing.
 7. The gateway device as recited in claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of wireless transceivers further comprise an antenna.8. The gateway device as recited in claim 1, wherein the proximateprogrammable device comprises a device selected from the groupconsisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smartphones, and smart watches.
 9. The gateway device as recited in claim 1,wherein the proximate programmable device further comprises a proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
 10. The gateway deviceas recited in claim 1, wherein the proximate programmable device furthercomprises a single button programmable device.
 11. The gateway device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the amenity is selected from a groupconsisting of lighting control, temperature control, speakers, windowshade control, and door security.
 12. The gateway device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the signal characteristics indicator is based on thebeacon signal being received at the gateway device.
 13. The gatewaydevice as recited in claim 12, wherein the signal characteristicsindicator is selected from a group consisting of signal strengthmeasurements, phase angle measurements, and flight time measurements.14. The gateway device as recited in claim 1, wherein the beacon signalfurther comprises an operational mode selected from the group consistingof alerts-enabled, service request-enabled, tracking-enabled, andnon-tracking-enabled.
 15. The gateway device as recited in claim 14,wherein in the alerts-enabled mode, the server receives a distresssignal from the proximate programmable device.
 16. The gateway device asrecited in claim 14, wherein in the service-request-enabled mode, theserver receives a service request from the proximate programmabledevice.
 17. The gateway device as recited in claim 14, wherein in thetracking-enabled mode, the server maintains in memory a plurality ofestimated locations with timestamps associated with the proximateprogrammable device.
 18. The gateway device as recited in claim 14,wherein in the non-tracking-enabled mode, the server maintains in memoryonly the last known locations with timestamps associated with theproximate programmable device.
 19. A gateway device comprising: ahousing securing a processor, memory, storage, and a camera therein, thehousing being configured to be located within a space; a busingarchitecture communicatively interconnecting the processor, the memory,the storage, and the camera; a first physical port secured at thehousing and coupled to the busing architecture, the first physical portconfigured to provide a physical wired interface for data and power tothe gateway device; a second physical port secured at the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the second physical port configuredto provide a physical wired interface for power to the gateway device; aplurality of wireless transceivers associated with the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the plurality of wirelesstransceivers configured to communicate via a plurality of wirelessstandards; at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers andthe first physical port providing a data link to a server, the servermanaging a geolocation and safety network including a plurality ofgateway devices; at least one of the plurality of wireless transceiversbeing configured to communicate with a proximate programmable device; atleast one of the plurality of wireless transceivers being configured tocommunicate with a proximate amenity, the proximate amenity beingco-located with the gateway device at the space; the memory accessibleto the processor, the memory including first processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: establish apairing between the proximate programmable device and the gatewaydevice, send user interface instructions relative to the amenity to theproximate programmable device, receive and process user inputinstructions relative to the amenity from the proximate programmabledevice, generate a command signal, and send the command signal to theamenity; the memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingsecond processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: receive and process a beacon signal including a personallocation device identification, generate a broadcast signal includingthe personal location device identification, a gateway deviceidentification, and signal characteristics indicator, and send thebroadcast signal to the server; and the memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including third processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to: capture video via thecamera, and transmit the video the server.
 20. A gateway devicecomprising: a housing securing a processor, memory, storage, and acamera therein, the housing being configured to be located within aspace; a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting theprocessor, the memory, the storage, and the camera; a first physicalport secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, thefirst physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface fordata and power to the gateway device; a second physical port secured atthe housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the second physicalport configured to provide a physical wired interface for power to thegateway device; a plurality of wireless transceivers associated with thehousing and coupled to the busing architecture, the plurality ofwireless transceivers configured to communicate via a plurality ofwireless standards; at least one of the plurality of wirelesstransceivers and the first physical port providing a data link to aserver, the server managing a geolocation and safety network including aplurality of gateway devices; at least one of the plurality of wirelesstransceivers being configured to communicate with a proximateprogrammable device; the memory accessible to the processor, the memoryincluding first processor-executable instructions that, when executed,cause the processor to: receive and process a beacon signal including apersonal location device identification, the beacon signal including anoperational mode selected from the group consisting of alerts-enabled,service request-enabled, tracking-enabled, and non-tracking-enabled,generate a broadcast signal including the personal location deviceidentification, a gateway device identification, and signalcharacteristics indicator, and send the broadcast signal to the server;and the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including secondprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: in response to receiving and processing the beacon signalin the alerts-enabled mode, capture video via the camera, and transmitthe video the server.